FPU celebrated a year, and some careers, during the Faculty-Staff Appreciation Luncheon.

The annual event was May 9 in Shehadey Dining Room on the main campus. Among the highlights was the presentation of President’s Distinguished Service Awards. Registrar Linda Pryce-Sheehan, Ed.D., received the award for administration and Zachary Durlam, D.M.A., director of choral activities for faculty. Staff awards went to MaryJo Burchard, assistant director, School of Education graduate programs, Visalia Center, and Jonathan Maher, director of systems analysis.

Commencement usually takes a backseat to athletics when it comes to statistics, but several records were set May 4.

• 7,000 family, friends and loved ones in the audience at the two ceremonies
• 7,500 bottles of water distributed by FPU staff
• 5,000 complimentary paper fans waving in California’s Central Valley sun

And, most important:

Members of the university Alpha Chi chapter earned individual and group honors at the academic honor society’s national convention.

FPU's Student Activities Board hosted its annual End of the Year BBQ on the East Hall Green on the evening of April 30. The BBQ featured a photo booth, snow cones and cotton candy, water slides, inflatable games and a rock wall. To keep up to date with student life events, visit facebook.com/fpustudentactivities.

 Attendees of "I Believe in Downtown," an event hosted by the Center for Community Transformation, heard from two experts on downtown Fresno: Craig Scharton and Kate Borders. The April 26 breakfast was held in Ashley Auditorium. To find out more about the CCT, visit transformcentralvalley.org.

All student leaders were invited to FPU's annual Leadership Banquet in Ashley Auditorium on April 25. The ceremony was an opportunity for FPU staff to recognize and honor student leaders for their exemplary service throughout the school year. Awards were presented to a member of each cadre, or leadership group, including residence life student staff, mentor's assistants, ministry leaders, worship team members and many other groups.

Fresno Pacific recognized and honored many undergraduate students for their achievements during the 2012-2013 school year at the Second Annual Honors Banquet, held in the Seminary Rose Garden. The April 19 event was attended by many prominent members of the FPU community including President Pete C. Menjares, Ph.D.; Master of Ceremonies Pamela Johnston, Ph.D.; and keynote speaker Ryan Schellenberg, Ph.D. Awards presented included junior and senior honors, as well as highest honors.

Undergraduate students who conducted research projects this semester displayed their work in AIMS Atrium on April 18 for FPU's Undergraduate Research Day. Students, staff and faculty, including President Pete C. Menjares, gathered to listen to the students present their research. To find out more about FPU's School of Natural Sciences and our other undergraduate programs, visit fresno.edu/academics.

More than 500 new Sunbirds will take flight into the Valley spring when FPU hosts commencement.

The May 4 ceremonies will be at 10:00 a.m. for 184 traditional undergraduate and 117graduate students, including 20 from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary. Ceremonies for the 227 bachelor’s degree completion students will be at 6:00 p.m.